40 Amp Blocking Diode 1N1190A

Find out how to use a blocking diode with a wind turbine generator

A diode is an electronic component which permits current to flow in just one direction. Diodes are an essential part of any wind (1) or solar (2) power generation system.

Diodes and Solar Panels

Without diodes solar panels (3) can discharge energy from battery storage at nighttime, and current can flow between solar panels when one or more panel is under shadow. Typically one bypass diode is fitted for each solar panel although many modern solar panels already have diodes incorporated in their circuitry. Take a look at our page on diodes and solar panels (4) and another on germanium diodes (5) to find out more about the 1N34A diode which is excellent for this application.

Diodes and Wind Turbines

For wind turbines a diode is also very useful since in periods with little or no wind, the turbine generator can turn in reverse like a motor powered by your battery storage (6).

The 1N1190A Power Rectifier diode (pictured above) is ideal for typical domestic wind power applications in particular since it can manage 40 Amps of current and up to 600 Volts.

Using a 1N1190A Diode

The diode can simply be connected between the live / positive cable of the renewable energy system and the battery bank (7). The threaded end of the diode would be clamped to the positive terminal of the battery, and the looped end connected to the live cable with a nut and bolt or some solder.

When large currents are flowing through the diode it can get hot so you should fix a heat sink to the diode (at the threaded end) to dissipate this heat. The bigger the better! Pictured above is an example of a 1N1190A fitted to a heat sink for sale on eBay (8) for around $7. (Click here to search for eBay for 1N1190A (9))

If you have difficulty finding 1N1190A diodes, then the diode pictured above can make an excellent substitute for low voltage systems. Rated at 30 Amps this is a Schottky diode with a forward voltage drop of just 310mV, but note that the maximum voltage rating of this diode is 40 Volts. Click here to view the eBay listings for the seller of these 30 Amp Blocking Diodes (10) (sold at around £1.99 each).

1N1190A Datasheet

The technical specifications of the 1N1190A rectifier can be downloaded by clicking here for the 1N1190A Datasheet (11).

Web Link References

(1) http://www.reuk.co.uk/wind.htm
(2) http://www.reuk.co.uk/solar.htm
(3) http://www.reuk.co.uk/How-Do-PV-Solar-Panels-Work.htm
(4) http://www.reuk.co.uk/Diodes-and-Solar-Panels.htm
(5) http://www.reuk.co.uk/Germanium-Diodes.htm
(6) http://www.reuk.co.uk/storage.htm
(7) http://www.reuk.co.uk/Interconnecting-Batteries-for-Battery-Bank.htm
(8) http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?type=1&campid=5335956244&toolid=10001&customid=diodes
(9) http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?type=3&campid=5335956244&toolid=10001&customid=diodes&ext=1n1190a&satitle=1n1190a
(10) http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?type=4&campid=5335956244&toolid=10001&customid=&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.co.uk%2Fmerchant%2Fdamian_mitchell
(11) http://www.datasheet4u.com/download.php?id=140263

Article from REUK.co.uk:
http://www.reuk.co.uk/40-Amp-Blocking-Diode-1N1190A.htm
Published: 2nd September 2008
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